In this paper, a novel torque ripple minimization method, namely, sliding mode variable structure is proposed for switched reluctance motor (SRM). The total reference torque is calculated by the speed error via the sliding mode variable structure controller, and the expected phase torque will be got through the Torque Sharing Function. Then make margin calculations between the expected phase torque and the actual electromagnetic torque, and then the expected phase current is got by the PI regulator. At last, under the current hysteresis control, the actual phase current follows the expected phase current well. The simulation results show that with fixed angle chopped control method compared, the torque ripple coefficient is reduced by 17.1% at low speed and 6.6% at higher speed respectively, and both the feasibility and validity of this scheme are proved by the experimental results.